2019 Mercedes-Benz E 2.9L Diesel · VE68 OHA

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT pass certificate dated 10 February 2026 at 86,963 miles, yet the maintenance trend is not straightforwardly stable. Just five days earlier, on 5 February 2026 at 86,587 miles, the car failed on two separate fractured rear road wheels, both cited under DVSA reason 5.2.2 (a). That is a serious structural defect, not a minor consumable wear item. The fact that both nearside and offside rear wheels fractured on what the tester noted as previous repairs raises questions about the quality of prior repairs and whether the underlying cause, such as impact damage or substandard welding, was ever properly addressed. The subsequent pass five days later suggests the wheels were replaced rather than repaired, which is a reasonable outcome, but the speed of that turnaround warrants scrutiny. The 2025 test at 75,422 miles also flagged play in the offside steering rack inner joint, a wear item that directly affects steering precision and was left as an advisory rather than a failure. Combined with the wheel fractures, the record points to a vehicle that has experienced notable mechanical stress and intermittent lapses in upkeep. The mileage accumulation is high for a 2019 vehicle, averaging roughly 12,423 miles per year over seven years. Between the January 2025 test at 75,428 miles and the February 2026 tests at approximately 86,587 to 86,963 miles, the vehicle covered around 11,500 miles in just over twelve months, confirming sustained high use in the most recent period. The earlier record is sparse, with a clean pass in January 2024 at 63,053 miles and another clean pass in February 2023 at 49,419 miles. That gap between 2024 and 2025 shows a jump of roughly 12,375 miles in a single year, consistent with a change in ownership or usage pattern. The rapid accumulation in the last year, paired with the wheel failures, suggests the car has been driven hard and potentially without sufficient attention to structural components. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus on the rear wheel area and the steering rack. Examine the rear wheels carefully for signs of weld repair, uneven rim finish, or aftermarket replacements that may indicate the original repairs were substandard. Check the tyre sidewalls for bulges or damage that could point to ongoing impact issues. The steering rack inner joint advisory from January 2025 was not a failure at the time, but with nearly 12,000 additional miles since then, that play may have progressed. Have a technician check for clonking or vagueness in the steering, particularly on full lock. The rear registration plate deterioration noted in both February 2026 tests is trivial, but it does reflect a pattern of minor cosmetic neglect that could hint at broader inattention. Overall, the car is legally roadworthy as of February 2026, but the fractured wheel failures so close to the pass date are a red flag. High annual mileage alone is not a concern on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class designed for such use, yet the nature of the defects suggests the vehicle may have been driven over kerbs or potholes with insufficient follow-up inspection. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a qualified technician, covering the rear wheel structural integrity, steering rack condition, and suspension bushes, is strongly recommended before committing to purchase.